NCBE
MPRE
Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
The NCBE ethics exam required for bar admission in nearly all U.S. jurisdictions. It measures knowledge of the standards governing lawyers' professional conduct, based largely on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Model Code of Judicial Conduct.
What's on the exam
NCBE MPRE Subject Matter Outline
Regulation of the Legal Profession
8–12%Admission to the profession · Regulation after admission and discipline · Unauthorized practice of law · Multijurisdictional practice · Reporting professional misconduct
The Client-Lawyer Relationship
10–14%Formation of the relationship · Scope and authority · Fees and fee agreements · Termination and withdrawal · Decision-making allocation
Privilege and Confidentiality
6–10%Attorney-client privilege · Work-product doctrine · Duty of confidentiality · Exceptions and permitted disclosure · Former clients
Conflicts of Interest and Client Consent
12–16%Current-client conflicts · Former-client conflicts · Imputation and screening · Lawyer's personal and business interests · Informed consent and waiver
Competence and Civil Liability
8–12%Duty of competence · Diligence · Legal malpractice · Limiting liability · Other civil liability to clients and third parties
Litigation and Other Forms of Advocacy
12–16%Meritorious claims and candor to the tribunal · Fairness to opposing parties and counsel · Trial publicity · Lawyer as witness · Special duties of prosecutors
Different Roles of the Lawyer
4–8%Lawyer as advisor · Lawyer as evaluator · Lawyer as negotiator · Third-party neutral and arbitrator · Prospective clients
Safekeeping Property and Funds
4–8%Client trust accounts · Commingling and IOLTA · Disputed funds · Recordkeeping · Property of third parties
Communication About Legal Services
6–10%Advertising · Solicitation · Communications about fields of practice · Firm names and letterhead · False or misleading communications
Lawyers and the Legal System; Judicial Ethics
8–16%Pro bono and public service · Political contributions and conduct · Judicial impartiality and disqualification · Ex parte communications by judges · Extrajudicial activities under the Model Code of Judicial Conduct
Frequently asked questions
How much does the MPRE cost?
The MPRE costs $160. NCBE registration fee; confirm current amount and any jurisdiction-specific requirements with NCBE.
How long is the MPRE and how many questions does it have?
60 items total; 50 scored, 10 unscored pretest items — Two hours.
What do you need to pass the MPRE?
Scaled score (50–150); each jurisdiction sets its own passing score (typically 75–86).
Can you retake the MPRE?
May be retaken; subject to NCBE registration and jurisdiction policies.
What is the best way to study for the MPRE?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Regulation of the Legal Profession 8–12%, The Client-Lawyer Relationship 10–14%, Privilege and Confidentiality 6–10%, Conflicts of Interest and Client Consent 12–16%, Competence and Civil Liability 8–12%, Litigation and Other Forms of Advocacy 12–16%, Different Roles of the Lawyer 4–8%, Safekeeping Property and Funds 4–8%, Communication About Legal Services 6–10%, Lawyers and the Legal System; Judicial Ethics 8–16%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
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